U.S. Raises Terror Alert Level to High

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge called on governors to deploy National Guard troops or extra state police to protect bridges and other key public facilities.

Additional federal security officers are being sent to monitor the borders, airports, seaports, railways, nuclear power plants and even elements of the nation's food supply and distribution system, officials said.

In addition, asylum-seekers from Iraq and 33 other countries will be held for background checks, the department announced. The FBI stepped up surveillance on certain Iraqis in America and other suspected terrorists or terrorist sympathizers.

Many of the security measures, dubbed "Operation Liberty Shield," were announced Monday just as President Bush completed his speech giving Saddam Hussein and his two sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face a U.S.-led invasion.

The Bush administration raised the terror alert from yellow, or elevated, to orange, the second-highest level on a five-color scale. Counterterrorism officials said the decision was based on threats from several quarters: al-Qaida, Iraqi operatives and freelance terrorists.

In his address, Bush warned of the possibility of terrorist attacks and cited some of the steps the government has taken to protect U.S. citizens and interests.

"In recent days, American authorities have expelled from the country certain individuals with ties to Iraqi intelligence services," Bush said. "Should enemies strike our country, they would be attempting to shift our attention with panic and weaken our morale with fear. In this, they would fail."

In a statement, Ridge said "a large volume of reporting across a range of sources, some of which are highly reliable, indicates that al-Qaida probably would attempt to launch terrorist attacks against U.S. interests claiming they were defending Muslims or the Iraqi people rather than Saddam Hussein's regime."

He also made reference to "reports of suspicious activity in and around military facilities, ports, waterways, general infrastructure and targets that are considered symbolic to U.S. power and influence."

This is the third time the administration has raised the terror alert since the system was put in place about a year ago. It is the first time the level was raised by the Department of Homeland Security, which took over the color system from the Justice Department on March 1.

U.S. counterterrorism officials say the most specific information points to possible attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East. A recent statement from Osama bin Laden, the Saudi-born leader of al-Qaida, declared some solidarity with Iraqis, although he referred to Saddam's government as infidels.

In addition, operatives working for Iraq's Mukhabarat, Saddam's intelligence service, could attempt bombings or other traditional terrorist-style attacks, officials said. Many are thought to work out of Iraqi embassies around the world under diplomatic cover.

The State Department recently sought the expulsion of some 300 suspected operatives from more than 60 countries, but many have not been removed.

The FBI is closely watching dozens of Iraqis and others living in the United States under a wide-ranging security plan meant to deter any reprisals for a U.S. invasion, bureau officials said. The plan, a year in the making, is expected to divert several thousand FBI agents away from regular duties to focus solely on counterterror and security.

Some of those under the FBI's watch have been identified through ongoing interviews of up to 50,000 Iraqis. Others are suspected of having links to al-Qaida and other terror groups, possibly including the Hamas and Hezbollah organizations blamed for attacks in Israel.

The interviews with Iraqis are "designed to obtain any information that could be of use to the United States during a possible conflict," Jeffrey Lampinski, special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia field office, said Monday.

At the same time, the FBI sought to assure Muslims and Arab-Americans it will respond quickly to any reports of hate crimes.

Some Muslims and Arabs fear war might result in harassment or deportation. One group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, e-mailed a "community safety kit" to mosques, community centers and others Monday that describes steps people can take to deal with backlash from a U.S.-Iraqi war and urging cooperation with police.

"All of us are going to be suspects," said Sarah Eltantawi, spokeswoman for the Muslim Public Affairs Council. "There is just this profound sense of disappointment about what America is becoming."

FBI spokesman Mike Kortan called the plan a prudent approach to give the country the best protection possible.

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Operation Liberty Shield

Increased security at major U.S. ports and waterways, including more Coast Guard patrols, escorts of passenger ships and additional sea marshals.

Greater surveillance and monitoring of borders. Increased screenings of vehicles and cargo, and more interviews of people crossing borders.

People from nations where al-Qaida and other terrorist groups operate or have sympathizers who have applied for asylum will be detained until U.S. authorities determine the validity of their claims.

More law enforcement personnel and patrols at airports. Airlines have been told to review the validity of all IDs for personnel with access to secure areas.

Temporary flight restrictions put in place over Washington, D.C., New York City and certain other unidentified U.S. cities.

Governors asked to provide additional police or National Guard troops at selected bridges.

Railroad companies asked to increase security at major facilities and rail hubs.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is requiring all licensed users of radioactive material to take additional security measures.

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